After a lengthy, sometimes difficult search, UNM's Latin American and Iberian Institute has a new director, but the appointment has drawn mixed reactions from the community.
Cynthia Radding, a history professor at the University of Illinois, was named to the position after a 10-month, nationwide search that drew criticism from local activists who felt the position should be filled by a Hispanic person.
UNM Deputy Provost Richard Holder said Radding, who was one of four finalists for the job, stood out because of her extensive experience working in Mexico and Latin American countries.
"She is an outstanding scholar of Latin America and she brings an interesting mix of experiences to the table that the LAII will benefit from," Holder said. "On a personal level, she has exceptional people skills and the management experience needed to do this job well."
According to her resumÇ, Radding worked as a researcher at an internationally acclaimed museum in Mexico for 18 years before becoming a college professor in Illinois.
Holder said Radding is fluent in Spanish and has several books published in both languages - a fact, he said, that wasn't lost on the search committee.
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Radding will replace the institute's interim director William Stanley, who retired in December. She will be the first woman to serve as director of the LAII since its inception at UNM in 1979.
Radding will take over as director on July 1.
She said she wants to increase collaborative projects between the institute and other UNM departments and programs to widen the impact it has on the University.
"The LAII is a strong and important part of UNM, and I look forward to building on its excellent programs in scholarship, teaching and outreach," she said in a University news release.
Theo Crevenna, deputy director of the institute and member of the search committee, said Radding's experience coordinating organizations to raise federal money impressed him.
"She was extremely well received by the staff of the institute and seems to fit in well here," he said. "I have no doubt in my mind that she is the right person for the job."
The New Mexico Hispanic Roundtable, however, isn't so sure.
Members of the group first expressed concern with the search process in November, claiming not enough Hispanics were being considered for the job.
After Radding was named to the position, the group issued a statement condemning the University's choice for director of the institute.
"The decision is a disappointment to us," the group said in the statement, which suggests that a qualified minority could have been found to fill the position. "UNM is not doing its part to reflect the community."
The Hispanic Roundtable consists of about 30 organizations statewide and advocates for Hispanics and Hispanic-related issues.
Still, University officials say they are excited about Radding's contributions to the institute and are content with their decision.
"The LAII, at this point, needs a strong leader with a vision for the future," said Terry Yates, UNM's vice provost for research and the chairman of the search committee. "We are confident in Professor Radding's abilities to lead the institute into the future."
